As a beneficial fungus, Trichoderma harzianum (T. harzianum) has been widely applied for growth promotion and biocontrol. Recently, it has attracted much attention with regard to improving stress tolerance in plants under abiotic stress. In this paper, the multiple mechanisms of T. harzianum for alleviating abiotic stress damage in plants are reviewed. T. harzianum can regulate the synthesis of key phytohormones, such as abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), etc., thereby enhancing the physiological response ability of plants under stress conditions such as drought, salt stress, and high temperature. These are associated with antioxidant system regulation in plants, which reduces levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage and maintains intracellular redox balance. T. harzianum can also improve plant nutrient uptake and root development, secondary metabolism, soil environment and structure, and expression of related genes. In addition, in this paper, the characteristics of T. harzianum application in field and horticultural crops are summarized and compared, revealing differences in the methods, concentrations, time, and effects of applying T. harzianum to various crops. We further explore the synergistic regulation effect of T. harzianum and plant–microbiome interaction on the stress microenvironment. Future perspectives on the molecular mechanism of T. harzianum and its field application potential are discussed. This review provides a theoretic and practical reference for the application of T. harzianum in agricultural production.

Soil antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are associated with agricultural land-use differences. However, assessing the soi

Soluble sugars, primarily glucose and fructose, are crucial determinants of tomato taste and flavor. To elucidate the genetic mechanisms regulating soluble sugar content, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on the variations in soluble solids content (SSC), glucose and fructose among 234 tomato germplasms. 4,284,885 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened for associations with these traits. Significant loci were predominantly located on chromosomes 1, 3, 6 and 9. Beyond confirming known genes (SFP5 and Lin5) in these mapped genomic regions, six candidate genes were newly associated with sugar content based on haplotypes showing significant positive associations with the traits. Functional predictions suggest these genes are involved in sugar transport (Solyc01G003192, Solyc01G003198), sugar metabolism (Solyc01G003200, Solyc01G003201 and Solyc09G000424) and the production of sugar synthesis substrates (Solyc09G002436), indicating their potential roles in regulating soluble sugar content. The results expand the molecular basis of sugar accumulation in tomatoes, offering practical avenues for genetically improving fruit sugar content.

Global warming is associated with an increased frequency and intensity of heat waves, which severely threaten crop production and sustainable agriculture. As sessile organisms, plants evolved complex heat stress memory mechanisms to cope with recurring heat waves. Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) are at the core of plant heat stress responses and memory. They regulate basal thermotolerance, acquired thermotolerance, and the maintenance of acquired thermotolerance. These processes involve multiple mechanisms, including temperature perception, activation of heat shock protein expression, and integration of hormonal and epigenetic signals. Here, we review the pivotal role HSFs play in the formation of heat stress memory, their structural characteristics, functional differentiation, and signal perception and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. We further discuss the functional conservation and the diversity of HSFs across multiple species—for instance, HSFA2 acts as a conserved regulator of heat stress memory in Arabidopsis, tomato, wheat, and barley—and outline future research directions, including the functional characterization of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) subfamilies, investigation of their roles under stress combination, and strategies to balance stress tolerance with growth and development. We hope that our review will provide a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of crop thermotolerance as well as contribute to efforts directed at ensuring food security in the face of climate change.